Assisted steering system for non-trackbound vehicle

US5469928A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Mannesmann AG · DE

Inventors

• Uwe Adler · Schweinfurt, DE
• Hans-Jurgen Drexl · Schonungen, DE
• Dieter Lutz · Schweinfurt, DE
• Franz Nagler · Ottendorf, DE
• Martin Ochs · Schweinfurt, DE
• Stefan Schiebold · Schweinfurt, DE
• Hans-Joachim Schmidt-Brucken · Helmstedt, DE
• Wolfgang Thieler · Haßfurt, DE
• Michael Wagner · Bitburg, DE
• Holger Westendorf · Diez, DE
• Rainer Wychnanek · Madenhausen, DE
• Manfred Roder · Schweinfurt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 20, 1994
• Grant date: Nov 28, 1995
• Expiry date: Jun 20, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S903/902
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Steering is actively assisted in a turning motor vehicle including a hybrid drive having both an internal combustion engine and a generator unit. The inner and outer wheels are each associated with an individual drive which is controlled in accordance with the steering angle of the steered wheels. Specifically, the torque differential is adjusted such that the percentage actual wheel differentials approach the percentage reference wheel speed differentials. A substantial reduction in the force which must be applied via the steering system to adjust the steering wheels, as compared to an absence of torque differential, is achieved because the outer wheel is driven at a higher output than the inner wheel when making a turn.